Should I try and put my hens in the coop while the days are longer?

[Kmacretro]

Do you know why it's recommended to not give dry meal worms? I don't over-trust information that comes without a why. It just seems flower Seedsincomplete. I don't see why meal worms would be any different in the UK than the US or Australia.

If all they eat is Layer, it should be enough of everything they need to stay healthy and lay eggs, a balanced diet. But if you give them other things, then all they eat is not Layer. It's generally recommended that "treats" form at most 10% of their daily diet. That doesn't help much does it? If they can't clean a treat up in about 15 minutes, it's too much.

One good high protein treat is BOSS (Black Oil Sun). Those give a nice protein boost. But you do not want to overfeed them, just a few is enough. The Black OIL Sunflower Seeds are pretty high in oil, you don't want to overdo that but it will make the feathers nice and shiny.

Some people feed cat food. Dog food is often too salty.

Many people won't like this, but another high protein treat is meat. Mine get cooked meat from table scraps but I also feed raw meat. If I trap a mouse they eat the mouse. When I shoot or trap a predator or pest, they might get to peck at the carcass for a while before I dispose of it.

If you thought that was disgusting, just wait. Or don't read any further. Some people feed them maggots. They make it sound nice by calling them black soldier fly larva. They put meat up on a platform protected so that the chickens can't get to it. The meat rots and stinks to high heaven. That draws flies that lay eggs that hatch into larva (maggots). The platform has slots for the larva to fall through to the ground, where the chickens eat them.

Now, what did they say was wrong with meal worms?

Hi again! I read this from the British Hen Welfare Trust (please see link below if you scroll down it explains)
https://www.bhwt.org.uk/feeding-your-hens/

The Black Oil Sun sounds good (but a little pricey?)

I've heard cat/dog food is ok. I must admit I'd rather give them something meaty than something processed (listen to me making out that the cat/dog food isn't superior enough, ha! ha! I have a labrdor and two cats who are doing just fine!)

I don't have a problem at all with them eating maggots if they are safe for them although my next door neighbour might get a little freaked out if they saw the meat rot rumbling away over the fence.

Any more ideas on protein treats?

Let me know what you think on the article from the BHWT link I sent. Interesting.

Thanks again friend!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Let me know what you think on the article from the BHWT link I sent.

That article is an infomercial, advertising their products. Some of what they say is reasonable, but solely in the interests of being a commercial for their products.

I did not go to the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) website to confirm if that information is still accurate. If it is then yes, it would be illegal. But it looks like that was a few years ago.

It's hard to argue with a regulatory agency even if I think their concerns are way overblown. They have the force of law behind them.

One thing you might want to check in the DEFRA website, does that apply to a small backyard flock or is that only for commercial operations? Here in the States many of us have exemptions from those types or rules if we are below a certain volume or don't sell to the public. Or does that apply to chickens used for meat, not for eggs.

 

[Kmacretro]

Let me know what you think on the article from the BHWT link I sent.

That article is an infomercial, advertising their products. Some of what they say is reasonable, but solely in the interests of being a commercial for their products.

I did not go to the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) website to confirm if that information is still accurate. If it is then yes, it would be illegal. But it looks like that was a few years ago.

It's hard to argue with a regulatory agency even if I think their concerns are way overblown. They have the force of law behind them.

One thing you might want to check in the DEFRA website, does that apply to a small backyard flock or is that only for commercial operations? Here in the States many of us have exemptions from those types or rules if we are below a certain volume or don't sell to the public. Or does that apply to chickens used for meat, not for eggs.

I would not have thought the British Hen Welfare Trust would be there primarily for advertising products as any profits go towards the welfare of rehoming battery hens. They are registered as a charity (No. 1147356), but that's besides the point.

I realise the DEFRA ban was back in 2014 but I can't find anything on the site at the moment to say it's been lifted. They are all over the COVID-19 topics understandably.

I'm sure you realise I live in the UK and our laws are for our jurisdiction. I'm a novice which is why I've been reaching out to this forum and REALLY appreciate all the feedback.

I'll just stick to the rules for now until I read anything to the contrary but I'm all for tips on all things you are clearly all pros at!

I love this site!

 

[Mrs. K]

You know what, I think you are stressing over nothing. Quit weighing the eggs and stop worrying. If they are active, bright eyed, eating, moving well, lively, and laying eggs pretty regularly... then they are just fine.

They are live animals, not machines, their production will vary day to day. A 'fractional difference' in the weight of the egg is well within the normal variance of eggs on a day to day basis.

Sometimes, there will be shell less eggs, or weird bumps on the shell, and once in a while you will get a double yolk-er. All of that is normal egg laying.

Keep feeding them like you are, let them go to bed when they want, mine usually go about just before dark. This really is not a health, exercise or diet issue, this is just normal variance in a live animals production.

Mrs K

 

[Retired frumps]

Hello everyone, I am new to keeping hens and have had my three since July 2019 (aged around 17 weeks back then). I'm just wondering if they are spending too much time outside now the days are getting longer? I let them out around 6.15am when it's light and they are taking themselves to bed at around 8.10pm at the moment. I keep an egg diary and have noticed since the days are getting longer their eggs are weighing a fraction lighter and I'm wondering if it has something to do with them getting more 'exercise'. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you

 

[Retired frumps]

Hello everyone, I am new to keeping hens and have had my three since July 2019 (aged around 17 weeks back then). I'm just wondering if they are spending too much time outside now the days are getting longer? I let them out around 6.15am when it's light and they are taking themselves to bed at around 8.10pm at the moment. I keep an egg diary and have noticed since the days are getting longer their eggs are weighing a fraction lighter and I'm wondering if it has something to do with them getting more 'exercise'. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you

Hello everyone, I am new to keeping hens and have had my three since July 2019 (aged around 17 weeks back then). I'm just wondering if they are spending too much time outside now the days are getting longer? I let them out around 6.15am when it's light and they are taking themselves to bed at around 8.10pm at the moment. I keep an egg diary and have noticed since the days are getting longer their eggs are weighing a fraction lighter and I'm wondering if it has something to do with them getting more 'exercise'. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you

 

[Retired frumps]

Cooped up and definitely enjoying the out of doors! Quite normal and egg production should return to a normal also. Its not abnormal to see fractional weight differences but yet there should be a constant laying size from each bird. You can almost tell which egg came from what bird based on size and color. Some birds have a special box they will only lay in and you can monitor the egg size from that bird on a regular basis as to how productive it is. You cant always judge a bird by the size of its egg as some will always be different. Best to weigh your birds and compare their weight and not so much the egg before you can depend on that lie of thinking. But yes, exercise and slight weight loss of the birds could attribute to slight egg differences. Most birds will coop or roost when they are ready and others are needing a little coaxing! Its up to you to maintain a constant routine and set the rules. Sun up to sun down may change, but the clock doesn't!

 

[Kmacretro]

You know what, I think you are stressing over nothing. Quit weighing the eggs and stop worrying. If they are active, bright eyed, eating, moving well, lively, and laying eggs pretty regularly... then they are just fine.

They are live animals, not machines, their production will vary day to day. A 'fractional difference' in the weight of the egg is well within the normal variance of eggs on a day to day basis.

Sometimes, there will be shell less eggs, or weird bumps on the shell, and once in a while you will get a double yolk-er. All of that is normal egg laying.

Keep feeding them like you are, let them go to bed when they want, mine usually go about just before dark. This really is not a health, exercise or diet issue, this is just normal variance in a live animals production.

Mrs K

Hi Mrs K!
I know. I'm just a novice and want to be sure I'm doing things as bet I can.
All the best!

 

[Kmacretro]

Cooped up and definitely enjoying the out of doors! Quite normal and egg production should return to a normal also. Its not abnormal to see fractional weight differences but yet there should be a constant laying size from each bird. You can almost tell which egg came from what bird based on size and color. Some birds have a special box they will only lay in and you can monitor the egg size from that bird on a regular basis as to how productive it is. You cant always judge a bird by the size of its egg as some will always be different. Best to weigh your birds and compare their weight and not so much the egg before you can depend on that lie of thinking. But yes, exercise and slight weight loss of the birds could attribute to slight egg differences. Most birds will coop or roost when they are ready and others are needing a little coaxing! Its up to you to maintain a constant routine and set the rules. Sun up to sun down may change, but the clock doesn't!

Thanks for your input!

Much appreciated

 

[Hidrainja4]

feeding hens, My egg production improved when recently I started feeding them fermented pellets. I only have six hens so a quart mason jar of fermented pellets is more than a days worth of food but they eat other treats and things. My birds have several sources of water inside and out side the coop. A quick protein boost is milk curds. First have people in your house who don't drink all the milk. Then put in pan and bring to boil and a glop of vinegar it turns lumpy strain liquid (whey) carbs, white lumps are (curds) protein. Chickens love it. I do not think activity reduces egg weight but less water and protein would reduce the size of eggs.